Active cover for electronic device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of providing a mobile phone cover are described. In some embodiments, the mobile phone cover may include, for example, a processor and lighting devices. The lighting devices may be operatively coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured, for example, to receive first signals based on second signals in which the second signals are generated by the mobile phone. The second signals may be indicative of an incoming call, an incoming message, a pending message, and/or a calendar alert (e.g., an upcoming appointment), for example. The processor may be configured to cause lighting of one or more of the lighting devices based on the first signals.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure may relateto, for example, systems and methods for providing an active cover foran electronic device or equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional mobile phone covers are passive accessories to mobilephones. They can have static designs and can offer some measure ofprotection for the mobile phone.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art through thecomparison of such systems with some aspects of some embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of thepresent application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some aspects of some embodiments according to the present disclosure mayrelate to, for example, an active cover for an electronic device orequipment. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, theactive cover is a mobile phone cover that may include, for example, aprocessor and lighting devices. The lighting devices may be operativelycoupled to the processor. The processor may be configured, for example,to receive first signals based on second signals in which the secondsignals are generated by a mobile phone. The second signals may beindicative of an incoming call, an incoming message, a pending message,a calendar alert (e.g., an upcoming appointment, an urgent reminder, aless-than-urgent reminder, a periodic reminder, etc.), or othernotification, for example. The processor may be configured to causelighting of one or more of the lighting devices based on the firstsignals.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile phone cover in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates a mobile phone cover in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates three light emitting diodes (LEDs) arrangement in twoviews in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of circuitry in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an audio port, circuitry and an audio connector inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a docking port, circuitry and a docking connector inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of circuitry in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mobile phone cover in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a mobile phone cover with a bumperportion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a mobile phone cover in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a mobile phone cover in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a waveguide configuration in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a microprism or prism as part of a diffuser inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some aspects of some embodiments according to the present disclosure mayrelate, for example, to systems and methods that provide an active coverfor an electronic device or equipment.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that theactive cover can sense when the electronic device is generating an alertor an indicator and can provide an enhanced alert or indicator insteadof or in addition to the generated alert or indicator of the electronicdevice.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate thatthe active cover includes a mobile phone cover for use with a mobilephone (e.g., a cellular handset, a cellular device, a wireless phone, awireless handset, a multimode phone, a mobile phone compliant withmultiple wireless communication standards, a mobile phone equipped withglobal positioning, a multiple-input-multiple-output phone, a wirelesscommunication device, a two-way radio, communication devices with one ormore antennas, etc.) The device and methods disclosed can also be usedwith tablets, tablet computers, and other devices as well.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate that,during a mobile phone alert or event, an active mobile phone coveraccording to the sound or alert data generated by the mobile phone. Thedevice may also illuminate in a distinct or random pattern, for example,according to the sound or alert data generated by the mobile phone. Adistinct pattern can be assigned to associated sounds or alerts. Forexample, a distinct pattern can be assigned to a particular ring tone ofthe mobile phone. The active mobile phone can enhance the look and feelof the outside of the mobile phone cover, provide the user with superiorsensory input over the mobile phone alone, and/or protect the mobilephone from drops, scratches, etc.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a mobilephone cover with light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are positioned atand/or near the edges and/or sides of a mobile phone. The mobile phonecover can use waveguides, for example, to bring light from the LEDs toilluminate a distinct pattern. The distinct pattern can be facilitatedby, for example, diffusers and/or prisms (e.g., microprisms) that areoptically coupled to the LEDs, for example, via the waveguides. Thediffusers and/or prisms can enhance and/or influence the light generatedby the LEDs.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide a mobilephone cover with LEDs that are disposed in one or more bumper bands(e.g., a series of bumper bands) that are disposed, for example, aroundthe mobile phone. The LEDs can facilitate, for example, edge lightingaround one or more of the edges of a mobile phone.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide, forexample, suitable logic, circuitry, code or combinations thereof thatmay be adapted to perform the functions or acts described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile phone cover according tosome aspects of the present disclosure. A mobile phone cover 100 (e.g.,a cover, a case, a shell, a protector, etc.) surrounds a mobile phone110. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, the mobilephone 110 may be slipped inside the mobile phone cover 100 and/or themobile phone cover 100 can be snapped on or stretched around the mobilephone 110. The mobile phone cover 100 can be, for example, an accessoryto and/or separate from the mobile phone 110. The mobile phone cover 100can be adapted, for example, to provide physical vias (e.g., accessopenings and/or windows) through which various input interfaces and/oroutput interfaces can be accessed without removing the mobile phonecover 100 from the mobile phone 110. In some embodiments according tothe present disclosure, the mobile phone cover 100 may provide aphysical opening to access a display, a camera, a button, a control,other output interfaces, and/or other input interfaces of the mobilephone 110. In other embodiments, the mobile phone cover 100 may providea transparent cover portion, for example, over a display or otherportions of the mobile phone 110. The transparent cover portion can bemade of materials that, for example, do not interfere with the operationof any of the touch screens of the mobile phone 110. The transparentcover portion may also protect areas of the mobile phone 110 such astouch screens from scratching or other damage.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide thatthe mobile phone cover 100 is made of one or more of the following:silicone, rubber, metal, plastic, polymers, composites, cloth, and/orother materials. The cover material may be, at least in part, opaque ortransparent. The cover material may assist a user in gripping the mobilephone 110 and/or may protect the mobile phone 110, for example. Thecover material may be, for example, shock resistant and/or shatterproof.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide thatthe mobile phone 110 include, for example, an audio port 120 (e.g., anaudio and/or visual port, an earphone port, a headphone port, etc.), aspeaker 130 and a docking port 140 (e.g., a data port, a rechargingport, etc.) as illustrated in FIG. 1. Other components and ports of themobile phone 110 might be not illustrated in the present application,but one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the variouscomponents and ports that are or can be part of a conventional mobilephone.

The mobile phone cover 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 to include, forexample, circuitry 150 and light emitting diodes (LEDs) 160. Thecircuitry 150 can be connected, for example, to the LEDs 150.

The mobile phone cover 100 can also include, for example, a battery 170(e.g., a rechargeable battery, a watch battery, etc.) that can be usedto power, for example, the circuitry 150 and/or the LEDs 160. Someembodiments according to the present disclosure provide that the battery170 can be rechargeable or not rechargeable. If not rechargeable, thebattery 170 can be replaced. Some embodiments of the battery 170include, for example, a lithium battery, an alkaline battery, asilver-oxide battery, etc. If rechargeable, then the battery 170 can berecharged, for example, by drawing energy from the mobile phone 110through the audio port 120, the docking port 140 and/or some otherconnection to the mobile phone 110. The battery 170 of the mobile phonecover 100 can be charged by a piezoelectric battery charger, forexample. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric battery charger canconvert force (e.g., caused by pressure, movements, mechanical forces,etc.) into electrical energy for use by the battery 170. Someembodiments contemplate converting other types of energy (e.g., sound,light, electromagnetic, magnetic, thermal, moving air, etc.) intoelectrical energy to charge the battery 170. The battery 170 of themobile phone cover 100 can also be recharged when the mobile phone 110is connected to a wall outlet, for example, such as when the dockingport 140 is connected to a wall outlet. The battery 170 may receiveenergy directly from the wall outlet (e.g., via connecting the mobilephone cover 100 directly to the wall outlet) or through the mobile phone110. In addition, the battery 170 may receive energy when the dockingport 140 is connected to a computer, for example, and/or when the mobilephone 110 or mobile phone cover 110 is being synchronized. Someembodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate that thecircuitry 150 receives power from the mobile phone 110 without using thebattery 170. Thus, some embodiments according to the present disclosuremight not have a dedicated battery as part of the mobile phone cover100, or might use the battery 170 as a back-up power source.

The circuitry 150 may be, for example, embedded in the mobile phonecover 100. The circuitry 150 may include, for example, one or morecircuit boards 150 a including, for example, an integrated circuit. Thecircuitry 150 may also include, for example, one or more sensors 150 b(e.g., an audio sensor, a signal sensor, an optical sensor, a wirelesssignal sensor, etc.) Components 150 a and 150 b can be part of the samecircuit board or can be part of separate circuit boards, for example. Asensor can be part of components 150 a and/or 150 b.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that atleast some of the LEDs 160 are covered by at least partially transparentbeads 180 (e.g., LED covers). Some embodiments according to the presentdisclosure provide that the beads 180 extend outwardly and/or inwardlyfrom a surface of the mobile phone cover 100 to provide texture (e.g., athree dimensional texture) and design to the mobile phone cover 100. Thebeads 180 can be adapted to be or look like, for example, one or more ofthe following: jewels, crystals, rhinestones, glass, plastic, diamonds,bling, stones, pearls, logos (e.g., school logos, business logos, sportslogos, etc.), mascots, artistic shapes, and whimsical shapes. FIG. 1Aillustrates an embodiment of the mobile phone cover 100 with differenttypes of beads and/or shapes. The mobile phone cover 100 can include,for example, other beads 190 that may or may not be similar to the beads180, and that do not cover LEDs 160. The beads 180 and/or the beads 190may be disposed on the front side, the back side, the inside, theoutside, or any side of the mobile phone cover 100 and/or may receiveillumination (e.g., scatter illumination) from other beads (e.g.,adjacent beads 180 and 190). Adjacent bead lighting may be enhanced by,for example, maintaining a space from the back of the mobile phone 110to the interior side of the mobile phone cover 100. This may allow straylight, for example, to shine from one bead to another.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide thatthe beads 180 and 190 may be made of or made to resemble, for example,one or more of the following: glass, rhinestones, stones, mineral,crystals, diamonds, logos (e.g., school logos, business logos, sportslogos, etc.), mascots, artistic shapes, whimsical shapes, silicone,rubber, metals, plastic, polymers, composites, cloth, and/or othermaterials. The beads 180 and 190 may assist a user in gripping themobile phone 110 and/or may protect the mobile phone 110, for example.The beads 180 and 190 may be of one or more materials that provide, forexample, shock resistance and/or shatter protection. In addition, thebeads 180 and 190 may be adapted to enhance the look or design of themobile phone cover 100.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that thebeads 180 and 190 can be colored or uncolored. Some embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure provide that the LEDs 160 provideone or more colors. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a colored oruncolored bead 180 covering a red LED 160 a, a green LED 160 b, and ablue LED 160 c. Circuitry 150 or other circuitry may be used to drivethe red LED 160 a, the green LED 160 b, and the blue LED 160 c togenerate any color with any intensity. Some embodiments provide that thebeads 180 provide one or more colors when light from one or more LEDsare shown through the one or more colored beads 180, or the one or morecolored beads 190 receives light scattered by beads 180 (e.g., adjacentbeads).

In operation, some embodiments according to the present disclosureprovide that the circuitry 150 enhances indications of a mobile phonealert or event such as, for example, a low battery indication, a roamingindication, an incoming call, a calendar alert, a caller identification,or an incoming/pending message (e.g., text message, video message,voicemail message, missed call message, etc.) by driving the LEDs 150 tolight up in a particular manner. For example, when the battery in themobile phone 110 is getting low, a red bead 180 may become illuminatedor may flash on and off at intervals.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that, whenthe mobile phone 110 receives an incoming call or message, the mobilephone 110 may generate a particular indicator (e.g., a particular ring,a particular audible indicator, a particular visual indicator, etc.)Some embodiments provide that the circuitry 150 can receive or detect aparticular audible indicator from the speaker 130 and/or the audio port120 (e.g., an earphone/headphone jack) using a sensor in the circuitry150. Some embodiments provide that the circuitry 150 can receive ordetect electrical signals from the audio port 120 and/or the dockingport 140 that are indicative of, for example, an incoming call orincoming/pending message.

The circuitry 150 receives or detects the particular indicator andgenerates a corresponding indicator to enhance the mobile phone'sparticular indicator. Some embodiments according to the presentdisclosure provide that the circuitry 150 will light up the LEDs 160 ina particular sequence, pattern, color, and/or intensity based on, forexample, the particular indicator that is received or detected from themobile phone 110. The beads 180 that cover the LEDs 160 can furtherenhance the indication generated by the mobile phone cover 100 byproviding, for example, different shapes and/or colors.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate thatthe mobile phone 110 uses different indicators for different callers,for different types of messages and/or for different senders ofmessages, for example. The different indicators (e.g., different audioindicators, different electrical signal indicators, etc.) that arereceived or detected by the circuitry 150 cause the mobile phone cover100 to generate correspondingly different responses by lighting up theLEDs 160 or the LEDs 160 and the beads 180 in a respective sequence,pattern, color, shape and/or intensity. Thus, for example, an incomingphone call from a first person would cause a first pattern of LEDs 160to light up on the mobile phone cover 100; an incoming phone call from asecond person would cause a second pattern of LEDs 160 to light up onthe mobile phone cover 100; an incoming text message from a particularperson would cause a third pattern of LEDs 160 to light up depending onthe particular person, for example; and an incoming communication froman unknown caller, perhaps indicated by a particular caller or ringtone, for example, would cause a fourth pattern of LEDs 160 to light up.These patterns can be hardwired and/or programmed in the mobile phonecover 100 and/or the mobile phone 110. Some embodiments provide that themobile phone cover 100 and/or the mobile phone 110 are programmed withthe patterns when the mobile phone cover 100 and the mobile phone 110are connected, or when the mobile phone cover 100 and/or the mobilephone 110 are connected to a computer. Individual patterns or sets ofpatterns and their correspondence to various events can be set by a userand/or software and/or firmware, or can be set automatically due todefault settings stored on the mobile phone cover 100 and/or the mobilephone 100.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate thatthe LEDs 160 or subsets of the LEDs 160 correspond to differentfrequencies (e.g., different LEDs 160 correspond to different musicalnotes such as A, B, C sharp, D flat, etc.) and that the ring toneindicative of a particular caller or a particular type of message isplayed out by the different LEDs 160. The circuitry could also controlparticular LED intensities and duration, for example, to correspond todifferent types of musical notes (e.g., quarter note, eighth note, etc.)and different musical dynamics (e.g., loud, soft).

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a circuit arrangement according tothe present disclosure. The circuitry 150 may include, for example, aprocessor 200, a memory 210 and/or a sensor 220 as illustrated in FIG.3. The processor 200, the memory 210 and/or the sensor 220 are connectedto a bus 230. The LEDs 160 are also connected to the bus 230. Althoughillustrated as three LEDs 160, some embodiments according to the presentdisclosure contemplate using more or less than three LEDs 160. Inaddition, some embodiments according to the present disclosurecontemplate using more or less than one sensor, one processor or onememory.

The processor 200 may include, for example, one or more of thefollowing: a general processor, a central processing unit, a digitalfilter, a microprocessor, a digital processor, a microcontroller, aprogrammable array logic device, a complex programmable logic device, afield-programmable gate array and an application specific integratedcircuit, and a memory. Code, instructions, software, firmware and/ordata may be stored in the processor 200 and/or the memory 210.

The memory 210 may include, for example, one or more of the following: anon-transitory memory, a non-transitory processor readable medium, anon-transitory computer readable medium, a read only memory (ROM), arandom access memory (RAM), a cache, a semiconductor memory, a magneticmemory, an optical memory, a flash memory, a flash card, a compact flashcard, memory cards, secure digital memory cards, a microcard, aminicard, an expansion card, a smart card, a memory stick, a multimediacard, a picture card, flash storage, a subscriber identity module (SIM)card, etc. The memory 210 may be configured to store code, instructions,software, firmware and/or data for use by the processor 200 and may beexternal and/or internal to the processor 200.

Some of the code, instructions, software, firmware and/or data may behardwired (e.g., hardware implementations, hardwired into registers,etc.) and/or may be programmable according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the ringtones and lightingpatterns can be controlled by an interface with the mobile phone 110and/or the circuitry 150, or can be controlled by software stored on,for example, the mobile phone 110 and/or the memory 210. In someembodiments, the mobile phone 110 and/or the mobile phone cover 100 canbe programmed when the mobile phone 110 and/or the mobile phone cover100 are synched and/or linked with a computing device (e.g., acomputer).

In operation in accordance with some embodiments, the mobile phone 110receives an incoming call or message. The mobile phone 110 may generatea particular audio indicator (e.g., a particular ring tone) that isreceived by the sensor 220. The sensor 220 senses (e.g., detects and/orprocesses) the particular ring tone and sends one or more signals to theprocessor 200 based on the sensed ring tone. The processor 200determines which of the LEDs 160 to light based on the one or more sentsignals. The processor 200 may have its own LED driver circuitry, forexample, with which to drive the LEDs 160.

The processor 200 may determine which LEDs 160 to light based on the oneor more sent signals by accessing the memory 210. The memory 210 mayinclude, for example, a table or other memory arrangement that stores acorrespondence between the one or more sent signals (or one or morevalues based on the one or more sent signals) and the respectivesequences, patterns, colors, and/or intensities of one or more selectedLEDs 160. The processor 200 can then execute the respective sequence,patterns, colors, and/or intensities of selected LEDs 160 as set forthin memory 210.

In some embodiments, the one or more sent signals represent one or moremusical notes. The memory 210 may include, for example, a table or othermemory arrangement that stores a correspondence between the one or moremusical notes and the respective sequence, patterns, colors, and/orintensities of one or more selected LEDs 160.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplatelighting the LEDs 160 and the beads 180 into alphanumeric patterns thatconvey an indicator (e.g., one or more initials of the caller) or amessage.

The table or other memory arrangement can be manually programmed by auser or can be programmed automatically by the processor 200. Forexample, a user can manually program processor 200 and the memory 210such that all of the LEDs 160 blink red when a particular caller calls;or the processor 200 can automatically select a preset display of LEDs160 when a different caller calls or texts.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that mobilephone circuitry 240 is connected to the bus 230. The connection can bewired via the audio port 120 and/or the docking port 140, or theconnection can be wireless from one or more antennas of the mobile phone110, for example. The mobile phone 110 may generate a signal (e.g.,electrical signal, digital signal, analog signal, data signal, wirelesssignal, etc.) that is an indicator (e.g., a particular ring tone) thatis received by either by the sensor 220 or by the processor 200. Theprocessor 200 can include, for example, an analog-to-digital converter.In some embodiments, the signal generated by the mobile phone 110 isreceived by the processor 200 which then determines in which manner tolight one or more selected LEDs 160 to light based on the receivedsignals.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment according to the present disclosure inwhich a digital signal processor 270 is used with an analog-to-digitalconverter 290 and one or more LED drivers 280. Similar in some aspectsto FIG. 3, FIG. 6 shows an analog-to-digital converter 290 that convertsthe analog input signals from the sensor 220 or the mobile phonecircuitry 240 to digital input signals. The digital signal processor 270processes the digital input signals in a similar manner as the processor200. The digital signal processor 270 then sends out signals to the LEDdriver 280 which, in turn, drives the LEDs 160. There may be multipleLED drivers 280 for multiple sets of LEDs. For example, one or more LEDdrivers 280 can drive a set including the red LED 160 a, the green LED160 b, and the blue LED 160 c as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As with the processor 200, the digital signal processor 270 may include,for example, one or more of the following: a general processor, acentral processing unit, a digital filter, a microprocessor, a digitalprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable array logic device, acomplex programmable logic device, a field-programmable gate array andan application specific integrated circuit, and a memory.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of the mobile phone cover100 according to the present disclosure. The mobile phone cover 100includes circuitry 150 that may be, for example, embedded, at least inpart, in the mobile phone cover 100. Some embodiments according to thepresent disclosure also contemplate that the circuitry 150 can bepartially on the inside or the outside of the mobile phone cover 100.The circuitry 150 includes a circuit board, for example, that isdisposed above the audio port 120. The circuit board may include, forexample, a physical via through which an audio connector 250 (e.g., anearphone connector, a headphone connector, a speaker connector, aheadset connector, etc.) passes to connect to the audio port 120 and theother circuitry of the mobile phone 110. The circuitry 150 is connectedto the audio connector 250 and/or the audio port 120.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that, whenthe mobile phone 110 receives an incoming call or message, the mobilephone 110 generates an audio signal through the audio port 120 and theaudio connector 250. The audio signal may represent, for example, aparticular ringtone or other type of audio indicator. The audio signalmay be, for example, an electrical signal, a data signal, a digitalsignal, an analog signal, or an audio output. The circuitry 150 can beconnected to the audio port 120 and/or the audio connector 250, and canreceive and/or sense the audio signal. As described above, the circuitry150 then determines the manner in which to light one or more selectedLEDs 160 based on the audio signals.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of the mobile phone cover100 according to the present disclosure. The mobile phone cover 100includes circuitry 150 that may be, for example, embedded, at least inpart, in the mobile phone cover 100. Some embodiments according to thepresent disclosure also contemplate that he circuitry 150 can bepartially on the inside or the outside of the mobile phone cover 100.The circuitry 150 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be in addition to or insteadof the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 4. The circuitry 150 includes acircuit board, for example, that is disposed under the docking port 140.Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide for adocking connector 260 extending from the circuit board 150 to thedocking port 140. The circuit 150 is connected to the docking port 140and/or the docking connector 260. The docking connector 260 can beattached to the circuitry 150 or can be part of the circuitry 150. Inaddition, the docking connector 140 can be part of a docking cable(e.g., a USB cable) that, similar to the audio connector 250 in FIG. 4,passes through a via (e.g., a physical window) in the circuit board ofthe circuitry 150 to connect to the docking port 140 and the circuitryof the mobile phone 110.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile phone cover 100 accordingto the present disclosure. The mobile phone cover 100 can use LEDs 160for edge lighting and/or signaling. Referring to FIG. 7, the mobilephone cover 100 can be configured with a window 300 that includes LEDs160 along the edge of the window 300. The window 300 can be a physicalopening and/or a transparent portion of the mobile phone cover 100. Thewindow 300 provides visual access to a logo 310 of the mobile phone 110.The logo 310 can be printed or attached to the mobile phone 110 or themobile phone cover 100. The LEDs 160 are disposed in the edge of thewindow 300 so that, when the LEDs 160 light up, the logo 310 isilluminated. The LEDs 160 can be lit up according to different patterns,intensities, colors, etc. as is disclosed herein. In some embodiments,the edge lit LEDs 160 can point outward or inward with respect to themobile phone 110. The edge lit LEDs 160 can be slightly raised above thesurface of the mobile phone 110 and can point in a direction along anadjacent surface of the mobile phone 110.

Some embodiments provide that the LEDs 160 can be located along the edgeof the mobile phone cover 100 to provide edge illumination. The LEDs 160can be disposed in a bumper portion (e.g., a bumper band 320) of themobile phone cover 100. The bumper band 320 can be raised on a back sideand/or a front side, for example, so that the LEDs 160 are exposed. Thebumper band 320 can be edge lit by the LEDs 160, for example. The numberof LEDs 160 illustrated in FIG. 7 is merely exemplary. There can be moreor less that the illustrated LEDs 160. For example, the LEDs 160 can belocated around the periphery of the bumper band 320, or can be arrangedin groups according to different lighting configurations.

In one embodiment, the LEDs 160 illustrated in FIG. 7 can directlighting substantially in the x-direction. In another embodiment, theLEDs 160 illustrated in FIG. 6 can direct lighting substantially in they-direction. In yet another embodiment, the LEDs 160 illustrated in FIG.6 can direct lighting substantially in the z-direction. In someembodiments, the LEDs 160 can direct lighting substantially along thex-, y-, and/or z-direction. The direction of the lighting from the LEDs160 can be influenced, for example, by the location and direction of theLEDs 160 as well as other influencers such as waveguides, lenses,diffusers, reflectors, prisms, and/or other optical influencers. TheLEDs 160 can be lit up according to different patterns, intensities,colors, etc. as is disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a mobile phone cover100 according to the present disclosure. In this configuration, the LEDs160 can be disposed on the front portion (illustrated) and/or the backportion (not illustrated) of the bumper band 320 disposed along the edgeof the mobile phone cover 100. The LEDs 160 can be facing, for example,the y-direction using the direction convention illustrated in FIG. 7.Thus, the LEDs 160 on the front side of the bumper band 320 and the logo310 would both face the same direction, for example. A similar LEDconfiguration can also be located on the back portion of the samesection of the bumper band 320 to illuminate in a different direction.In addition, the lighting of the LEDs 160 and/or the lighting of thebumper band 320 can provide different patterns, intensities, colors,etc. as is disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a transparent or opaque mobile phone cover100 with edge-lit LEDs 160 according to the present disclosure. Themobile phone cover 100 can be configured with different waveguides,prisms, reflectors, lenses, diffusers, and/or other optical influencers.In one embodiment, the case (e.g., an opaque case) can act as adiffuser, for example, and the light from one or more of the LEDs 160when illuminated will be visible throughout the mobile phone cover 100.Some embodiments provide that the illumination of LEDs 160 illuminatesthe mobile phone cover 100 and/or the edge of a mobile phone cover 100.Some embodiments provide that the illumination of individual LEDs 160can be seen through a transparent mobile phone cover 100.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile phone cover 100 accordingto the present disclosure. The mobile phone cover 100 has LEDs 160 thatare used to illuminate an optical configuration arranged in the shape ofa logo 330, for example, a version of a Miami Hurricanes logo of theUniversity of Miami. Referring to FIG. 10, the one or more LEDs 160 areoptically coupled to waveguides 340. A portion 350 of the waveguides 340is also configured in the shape of the logo 330. The waveguides 340 canbe configured so that, when the LEDs 160 are lit, the entire wave guide340 is illuminated from an external point of view. The waveguides 340can be configured so that, when the LEDs 160 are lit, only the logoportion 350 of the waveguides 340 is illuminated from an external pointof view. Except for the logo portion 350, the rest of the waveguides 350might not be easily visible from an external point of view. In addition,the LEDs 160 can be different colors. For example, the Miami Hurricaneslogo is orange on the left side and green on the right side. Someembodiments provide that one or more LEDs 160 can generate the orange orgreen colors. Some embodiments can employ using colored waveguides orcolored prisms to illuminate the logo portion 350 in the appropriatecolor. Some embodiments provide that a colored logo is printed on themobile phone 110 or the mobile phone cover 100 and illuminated by theLEDs 160.

Although illustrated with edge-lit LEDs 160, the LEDs 160 can be locatednext to the logo portion 350 of the waveguides 340. Thus, the LEDs 160can directly illuminate the logo portion 350. In addition, althoughillustrated as a logo, the portion 350 of the waveguides 340 that isilluminated need not be limited to logos, but can be any shape, design,or physical structure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a waveguide configuration arrangedin a logo according to the present disclosure. The waveguide 340 can endin a termination point 360. The termination point 360 can be, forexample, a reflector that keeps the light within the waveguide 340. Thetermination point 360 can also be an exit point for light. The waveguideconfiguration can also include a diffuser 370. The illustrated diffuser370 includes a plurality of microprisms having a triangular shape todiffuse, scatter and/or spread light out to be viewed externally withrespect to the mobile phone cover 100. In some embodiments, the diffuser370 can have, for example, a bumpy or highly modulated surface. Thediffuser 370 can, for example, form part of the logo portion 350 of thelogo 330 illustrated in FIG. 10. The diffuser 370 can be configured todiffuse, scatter and/or spread the light brought to it by the waveguide340 to generate an illumination arranged in the form of the logo 330,for example.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a prism or microprism of a diffuseraccording to the present disclosure. The diffuser 370 can include, forexample, an arrangement of prisms 380 (e.g., microprisms). The diffusermay comprise, for example, rows and rows of prisms, or a matrix ofindividual light diffusers in the shape of diamonds or beads.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that, whenthe mobile phone 110 receives an incoming call or message, for example,the mobile phone 110 generates a data signal through the docking port120 and the docking connector 250. The data signal may represent, forexample, a particular ringtone, another other type of audio indicator, avisual indicator, caller identification information, messageidentification information, etc. The data signal may be, for example, anelectrical signal (e.g., an analog or a digital signal). The circuitry150 can be connected to the docking port 140 and/or the dockingconnector 260, and can receive and/or sense the data signal. Asdescribed above, the circuitry 150 then determines the manner in whichto light one or more selected LEDs 160 based on the data signals.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that themobile phone 110 can be set to silent mode, for example, and that themobile phone 110 can generate the electrical or wireless signal, forexample, that is an indicator of a particular caller or a particulartext sender, for example. As described above, the mobile phone cover 100(e.g., the circuitry 150, the processor 200 and/or the memory 210) canthen use the received electrical or wireless signal, for example, todetermine in which manner to light one or more selected LEDs 160.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure provide that themobile phone 110 can be set to silent mode, for example, and that themobile phone 110 can generate an optical indicator, for example, that isan indicator of a particular caller or a particular text sender, forexample. As described above, the mobile phone cover 100 (e.g., thecircuitry 150, the processor 200 and/or the memory 210) can then sensethe optical indicator using the sensor 220, for example, to determine inwhich manner to light one or more selected LEDs 160.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate thatthe mobile phone cover 100 can receive indications from the mobile phone110 that the mobile phone 110 is receiving an incoming call or message,for example, and then generate audio output, for example, via a speakerthat is part of the mobile phone cover 100 and/or not a part of themobile phone 110.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate thatthe mobile phone cover 100 can receive indications from the mobile phone110 that the mobile phone 110 is receiving an incoming call or messageand then generate a message or other indicator on a display (e.g., LCDscreen, LED screen, touch-sensitive screen, etc.) that, for example, ispart of the mobile phone cover 100 and/or not a part of the mobile phone110. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure, thedisplay of the mobile phone cover 100 might be visible on the oppositeside as the display of the mobile phone 110.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure contemplate thatthe LEDs 160 can selectively light up other structures instead of or inaddition to the beads 180. For example, the LEDs 160 can selectivelylight up lines, strips, rectangular box-like structures,cylindrical-type structures, or waveguide-like structures disposed on orin the mobile phone cover 100. The LEDs 160 can also light up the entiremobile phone cover, one or more entire sides, or one or more portions ofentire sides of the mobile phone cover 100 (e.g., at least partiallytransparent mobile phone cover) in a flashing or pulsating manner, forexample.

In summary, some aspects of some embodiments according to the presentdisclosure may relate to, for example, a mobile phone cover thatincludes a processor and lighting devices. The lighting devices may beoperatively coupled to the processor. The processor may be configured,for example, to receive first signals based on second signals in whichthe second signals are generated by the mobile phone. The second signalsmay be indicative an incoming call, an incoming message, a pendingmessage, a calendar alert (e.g., an upcoming appointment), or othernotification, for example. The processor may be configured to cause oneor more of the lighting devices to light based on the first signals.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may be realized inhardware, software, firmware or a combination of hardware, software orfirmware. Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may berealized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or ina distributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be ageneral-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when beingloaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carriesout the methods described herein.

Some embodiments according to the present disclosure may also beembedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the featuresenabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and whichwhen loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.Computer program in the present context means any expression, in anylanguage, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause asystem having an information processing capability to perform aparticular function either directly or after either or both of thefollowing: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and (b)reproduction in a different material form.

While some embodiments according to the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes may be made andequivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure contemplatesthat aspects and/or elements from different embodiments may be combinedinto yet other embodiments according to the present disclosure.Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosurenot be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that thepresent disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scopeof the appended claims.

1. A mobile phone cover for use with a mobile phone, comprising: aprocessor; and lighting devices operatively coupled to the processor,wherein the processor is configured to receive first signals based onsecond signals, the second signals being generated by the mobile phone,the second signals indicating one or more of the following: an incomingcall, an incoming message, a pending message, and an upcomingappointment, and wherein, based on the first signals, the processor isconfigured to cause lighting of the one or more lighting devices. 2-27.(canceled)